The literature suggests that academic writing skills have a significant impact on the academic success of university students. Many Chinese ESL students, in particular, struggle with mastering these skills while studying abroad. The purpose of this mixed-methods study is to explore Chinese international students' perceptions of academic writing challenges in English as well as to identify the strategies they use to overcome these challenges. The study surveyed 200 Chinese international students studying in Malaysian universities. Qualitative follow-up interviews were also conducted with 12 students to uncover their perceived challenges and coping strategies. The study found that students felt their limited academic writing skills and language problems hindered their ability to write. Nonetheless, the course materials and the additional handouts provided by instructors helped students improve their academic writing skills. Moreover, students considered both instructor-centered learning and peer guidance as effective approaches to improving their academic writing skills. The study concludes with a detailed explanation of the difficulties associated with academic writing skills among ESL students.